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About Us

From humble beginnings, the Modern Star Group has evolved into Australia’s number one partner and supplier of educational resources to early childhood centres and primary schools, with a growing presence across Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore.

Girl playing with toy animals

Over the last 60 years, Modern Teaching Aids, Modern Brands, Zart, Kesco and CleverPatch have become entrenched in the fabric of the teaching community in both Australia and New Zealand. Each brand is renowned for its innovative product range, exceptional product quality, strong customer service and fast, reliable delivery.

Two boys putting a puzzle together

In the wake of COVID-19, Modern Star has put focus on building a stable of digital resources to complement its world class product range of physical resources. The Modern Star group has continued to grow well above industry norms every year since launch, with further organic and acquisition expansion planned.

Students playing with robots
Girl playing with toy animals

Timeline

Modern Star has evolved since 1956 from “the man in the van” selling educational resources into early childhood services to its position today as a trusted long-term partner in education with unrivalled direct access to the teaching community.

November 2019

Modern Star acquires the assets of Empowered Learning

an audio-visual specialist providing interactive screens, projectors and sound systems to primary and high schools across NSW & ACT.
September 2019

Modern Star Group acquires Educating Kids

a Melbourne-based business specialising in providing educational resources to early childhood centres and pre-schools.
May 2019

Modern Star Group acquires Serrata

a fully integrated science business supplying science resources to teachers and lab technicians in primary and high schools across Australia and New Zealand.
September 2017

Modern Star Group invests in Zart

a Melbourne-based art and craft supplier who specialises in art skills education through Professional Development, online workshops and conferences.
June 2017

Modern Star Group acquires Genie Educational

a fully integrated mathematics resource provider to schools.
July 2016

Modern Star Group invests in CleverPatch

a Newcastle-based art and craft supplier to primary schools, event organisers and holiday programs.
August 2002

Modern Star Group acquires Kesco Educational

a fully integrated education resource provider to schools and early childhood services, with an emphasis on quality with everyday value.
July 2002

Modern Star Group formed with Modern Teaching Aids and Modern Brands as subsidiaries

October 1994

First annual education fundraising catalogue issued by Parent Direct

a B2C fundraising business driven through community early learning centres.
July 1989

Modern Teaching Aids acquires Kangaroo Educational, branded as Tutor Warehouse in New Zealand

a fully integrated education resource provider to schools and early childhood services, with an emphasis on best price.
June 1956

Birth of Modern Teaching Aids

Modern Brands was established soon after as a means of providing toy suppliers with access to educational channels.

Values & Vision

We inspire children’s learning and creativity with our passion for people, quality and service. We respect, listen, communicate, act and continue to learn.

Be passionate

about what you do

Inspire learning

for customers and ourselves

Enable creativity

to flourish

Listen

to customers and each other

Be respectful

to people

Take action

to make things happen

Collaboration

through communication